Lesson 1Fastening options and guidelines: silicon bronze, copper, stainless steel fasteners, roves, clinching, and modern screw systemsFixing choices for wooden boats: silicon bronze, copper, stainless. Roves, clinch, screws, rust risks, sizes, fitting, checks.
Silicon bronze screws and bolts selectionCopper nails, roves, and clinch fasteningStainless steel use and corrosion concernsSizing, pilot holes, and driving methodsFastener inspection and replacement plansLesson 2Adhesives, epoxies, and consolidants: penetrating epoxies, laminating epoxy systems, moisture‑tolerant adhesives and limitationsMarine glues, epoxies for fixes. Penetrating types, laminating, wet-tolerant, prep, clamp, limits with old planking.
Adhesive types used in wooden boat repairPenetrating epoxies for degraded timberLaminating epoxies and thickened mixesMoisture‑tolerant adhesives and primersLimitations with traditional hull designsLesson 3Timber preservation: preservatives, fungicides, and methods for treating new and existing timberWood rot ways, how preservatives, fungicides guard new and used wood. Brush, dip, inject, safety, eco rules, checks.
Identifying fungal and insect timber decayOil‑borne and water‑borne wood preservativesFungicides and biocides for marine timberApplication methods: brush, dip, and injectionSafety, PPE, and environmental complianceLesson 4Selection of timbers: properties and uses of oak, Douglas fir, teak, mahogany, western red cedar, and laminated alternativesBoat woods: oak, Douglas fir, teak, mahogany, cedar, laminates. Strength, rot hold, work ease, best for frames, planks, spars.
Mechanical and durability properties of oakDouglas fir for spars, decks, and structureTeak and mahogany for trim and plankingWestern red cedar for light plankingLaminated timber and engineered optionsLesson 5Hand and power tools for a small yard: saws, planes, chisels, grinders, grinders with wood discs, routersHand, power tools for small yard: pick, set, safe use. Cut, shape, smooth planks, frames, sharpen, store.
Hand saws, planes, and chisels for joineryPortable circular, jig, and track saw useGrinders and wood shaping discs on hullsRouters for rebates, scarfs, and joineryTool maintenance, sharpening, and storageLesson 6Surface coatings and antifouling: primers, varnishes, microporous paints, and UV considerations for deck surfacesPrimers, varnish, microporous paints for hull, deck, antifouling. UV, layers, stick, prep, upkeep for bright, work finishes.
Primer types and surface preparation stepsVarnish systems and brightwork schedulesMicroporous and traditional paint systemsAntifouling types and application methodsUV exposure, chalking, and recoating plansLesson 7Specialized marine tools: caulking irons, seam rakes, plank clamps, extraction tools, drift pinsMarine tools for wood boat fix: caulking irons, rakes, clamps, pullers, pins. Handle, upkeep, store safe.
Types and uses of caulking ironsSeam rakes and reefing tools in practicePlank clamps and temporary fasteningsFastener pullers and extraction toolsDrift pins, drivers, and care routinesLesson 8Sealants and caulking materials: traditional cotton/caulking and modern polysulfide, butyl, and polyurethane alternativesOld cotton, oakum caulk vs new polysulfide, butyl, poly sealants. Joints, coat match, apply, cure, fix leaks.
Cotton and oakum for plank seam caulkingPolysulfide, butyl, and polyurethane sealantsJoint design, backing, and bond linesApplication tools, techniques, and cure timesLeak diagnosis and caulking repairsLesson 9Materials for temporary supports and shoring: cribbing, jack posts, and blocking best practicesSupports, cribs, jacks, blocks. Loads, ground, steady checks, safe haul, shore, level boats.
Selecting cribbing and blocking materialsLaying out keel blocks and bilge standsUsing jack posts and screw pads safelyMonitoring movement and re‑shoring stepsAccess, ladders, and work‑area safety
